The Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through SMEDA and in partnership with Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Italian Embassy Islamabad has organized the first of its kind Awareness & Training Seminar at the Lahore International Expo Center from 31 May to 02 June, 2016.
The purpose of the seminar is promotion of investment in Leather, Footwear and Accessories sectors.
Mr. Wasim Zakaria (President, The Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association) in his remarks said “The core idea behind this seminar is to focus on the creation of a footwear cluster in Pakistan offering a platform for establishment of new factories in the leather sector adding more value to the leather export business and boosting economic output”. “The seminar aims to introduce new technology, best practices and global industry benchmarks in order to upgrade the existing industrial infrastructure and create new industrial units in the country” he added.
While speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Amena Cheema, CEO PBIT said, “Since Punjab is now completely ripe for investment, I would like to reiterate the point made by Chief Minister Punjab that “investors are our masters.” In that context, PBIT stands fully equipped to provide all possible facilitation and support to those wishing to invest in our province”.
To formalize the commitment to build a footwear/leather cluster, a memorandum of understanding was signed among PBIT, InterConnect and Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC). According to the MoU, seventy acres of lands has been allocated for the formation of the cluster.
Punjab Board of Investment and Trade have also set up an information desk to disburse information regarding the potential business opportunities in Punjab especially in the footwear and leather sectors.
The 1st day included panel discussions, presentations on the manufacturing, marketing and technical aspects of footwear and leather business. During the 2nd and 3rd day of the seminar/workshop, Italian experts will also introduce the formulation of a sustainable marketing strategy and facilitate Pakistani leather goods to penetrate into the global market, especially Europe.